frustration and joy.
Two words that have become closely linked with my life as a full-time college student, part-time employee, and single mom. Being a mother has brought my life an overabundance of joy and happiness. My daughter, sweet bug, has been such a blessing in my life since the moment I found out I was pregnant. This blog is intended to focus on my journey of balance in motherhood and life.
Juggling school, work and motherhood has been challenging to say the least. Add to that my daughters mounting health problems (and the bills associated with them), the ending of the relationship with her father (wedding plans were finalized, and then the bomb exploded), and the constant judging and criticizing from complete strangers, and you have a really crazy mess. This blog is addressing the frustrations I experience as a result of my new title "single mom".
Being a young (now 21 year old) mom comes with its own set of stereotypes that must be dealt with on an almost daily basis. I feel like discussing not only being a mom, but being a young, single mom, that is trying to create a like that will be great for both my daughter and myself is important and relevant because it gives a voice to the mothers out there not unlike myself, that feel as though the hard work, and the late night study sessions go unnoticed and under appreciated by an audience that feels the need to constantly remind us "unwed mothers" of our impending failures.
I want to share my struggles, and my stories with others because I feel as though it could serve an an encouragement to other mothers feeling overwhelmed, and perhaps enlighten those that stand in judgment. I want to separate myself from, and step outside of the MTV "Teen Mom" image, and help others to do so as well. I want to show that young, single moms are not people to serve as entertainment, but people deserving of respect and admiration.
I want my daughter to know that I fought to make her life the best it could possibly be.
I want to someone she can be proud of. I want to be someone I can be proud of.
I want other young, single mothers to know that school is not out of the question, and that having dreams and taking steps to accomplish them does not have to be a thing of the past.
I want to serve as an encouragement and an example that with hard work and sacrifice we can be both great parents, and successful students/workers.
We can have it all.
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I think that I have a lot to deal with, but you really do. I do not know how you do it, but I really respect that fact that you can handle being a mom, working, and being a student. It must be tough. I like how you mentioned you wanted to move away from being catogorized as a "teen mom", like on MTV, because is not how every situation is. I wish you the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI really admire anyone who can take on three jobs at one time. Your blog was very uplifting.
ReplyDeleteUnder similar but not exact circumstances, I too was made well aware of stereotypes. I think it really means something when an individual can overcome these stereotypes and ultimately better themselves. After all, you only live once. Good for you, girl.
I can relate to the late night hours in which you have to study. I'm not a single mom but I do have three kids at home--8,10, & 17. You might think that they are old enough to leave me alone and let me study, but no--that doesn't happen. I study after they go to bed. I just grin and bear it.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, young ladies do need to know that they can "have it all." It's not a breeze, but if they will follow your lead, it will be a good start.